GERMAN SHARES rose almost 3 per cent , fuelled by benign US jobs numbers which stilled fears of another interest rate rise. The DAX closed 2.82 per cent stronger at 5,336.22 points.

Commerzbank was the top gainer amid renewed market speculation it could be a takeover target. Its shares jumped more than 5 per cent. Speculation has recurred in recent years as Commerzbank defends itself as the smallest of Germany's big four banks behind Deutsche Bank, HypoVereinsbank and Dresdner.